One
aspect of the state's rich cultural heritage is manifest in its
varieties of religious architecture: ancient Hindu temples with
copper-clad roofs, later Islamic mosques with "Malabar gables,"
and colonial Portuguese Baroque churches. Splendid paintings,
especially murals, exhibit distinct local traditions and styles.

The
land is a flourishing center of the Kathakali dance form. The
state has also a rich theatre tradition: the only surviving Sanskrit
drama, kudiyattam, is still performed by the Cakkayars of Kerala.Some
principles of the Natya-shastra are evident in their presentations.

Religion
: The population of Kerala is roughly 60 % Hindu, 20 % Muslim
and 20 % Christian.In 52 AD.There
is a legend that Kerala was carved out of the sea by Sri Parasuram.
Kerala has given birth to great philosophers and outstanding artists,
and the philosophy of Shankaracharya stands supreme even in the
present atomic and rocket age.Kerala is a store house of music,
art and Indian Classical dancing. Kathakali, the world's most
famous Indian Classical dance in which the artists speak with
eyes and mudras has won world fame.

Handicrafts
An intrinsic part of traditional
Kerala is its handicrafts. A flourishing coir industry exists
because of the bountiful coconut palms. In Cochin on the Gundu
island, the entire process of mats and carpets being made, can
be watched.

Kerala is also famous for
intricate rosewood and sandalwood carvings, ivory work, brass
and bell metal lamps (Aramula is the center of bell metal, mirror
craft). Besides coir and cane products, a number of interesting
horn products, wooden toys and laquerware are also made. Kerala's
local weavers from Calicut still make exceptionally soft polished
cotton, so tightly woven and delicately coloured that they can
easily pass for silk.

Parikshith
Thampuram Museum
The museum is situated near the famous Siva Temple, Ernakulam.
It houses a treasure of archaeological findings and relics including
old coins, sculptures, oil paintings and murals. St. Francis Church
It is the oldest church built by European in India.On his 3rd
visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portugese trader who reached
India from Europe by sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried
in the St. Francis Church. Later his remains were taken back to
Portugal. In spite of that the exact place where he was buried
has been marked out inside the church Collections of 19th century
oil paintings, old coins, sculpture in stone and plaster of paris,
copies of mural paintings, etc. Collections from Cochin royal
family are also among them. Timings : 0930 to 1200 hrs and 1500
to 1730 hrs. Closed on Mondays and national holidays. Admission
is free.

Cheruthuruthy
(Kerala Kalamandapam)
North of Thrissur, 29km away
near the Shoranur Railway Junction is Cheruthuruthy, home of the
renowned repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form.
It is in this academy that the best of Kerala's Kathakali performers
get their rigorous training. The institution also offers training
in music, drama, and other dance forms including Mohiniyattam,
Koodiyattam and Ottam Thullal.

Chitra Art gallery
This art gallery has an excellent
collection of paintings done by artists from all over the country
as well as abroad. It has paintings from the Rajput, Mughal and
Tanjore schools as well as works from China, Tibet, Japan and
Bali. It is also an excellent place to check out some contemporary
Indian Art, with one of India's most expensive painters, Raja
Ravi Varma being displayed here. There are also works by Russian
painter, Nicholas Roerich on display here.

Napier Museum
This museum is a peculiar
and quaint little place which has a theme surrounding it. It is
built on the pattern of ancient Kerala family homes. It also has
an interesting collection of bronzes, historical and contemporary
ornaments, temple carts, ivory carvings and life-size figures
of Kathakali dancers.It is a colorful and attractive structure
standing on the crest of the popular public gardens near Observatory
Hill. It has a good collection of Bronzes. The model of the Nair
Joint family house (Tarawad) is interesting.

Art Museum(Anakkayam)
Within the zoo compound is
the small Art Museum which has a good collection of wood carvings
metal sculptures, Kathakali figures, and ancient jewellery. There
is also a wonderful collection of traditional Kerala lamps.